Johnnie Walker’s ‘The Walk’ is my favorite ad of 2009 and for a number of reasons; it’s storytelling, it’s simplicity and it’s Scottish heritage. And so it seemed a great way to toast the the passing of 2009 and acknowledge the coming of the new decade ahead.

The past year was a turbulent one to be sure as the economic turmoil that ended 2008 seemed to worsen as 2009 went on and notably among the design related industries. Many long standing vendors, friends and colleagues faced challenging times; some even forced to closed their doors as many business foolishly ceased spending on marketing and advertising. Another factor, the mind bending rate of change among traditional forms of media forced creatives and brand managers to evolve how they communicate to their customers. What might that future look like? From social media, ‘Apps,’ to what TV’s are really good for.

People are looking for, demanding, and engaging brand experiences that connect them to the brands that move them—as seen in Interbrands ‘Best Global Brands 2009′ I spoke a number of times over 2009 with John Ridley, Director; Marketing and Community Relations at Global BC and at one point he said it, “the consumer is driving the ship.”

Add to this the dark stories of a planet Earth in rapid decline and one can’t help but think 2009 wasn’t a banner year.

So to that end, I give you Paul Hawken’s stirring 2009 Commencement Address to the graduates of the University of Portland as a sign that 2010 and the decade to come is ripe for a new style of business. As Paul Hawken stated, “Do what needs to be done, and check to see if it was impossible only after you are done.” “Inspiration is not garnered from the litanies of what may befall us; it resides in humanity’s willingness to restore, redress, reform, rebuild, recover, reimagine, and reconsider.”

The business world, and the world in general, has seen significant evolution in what ’sustainability’ truly means. It’s gone beyond ‘green’ and blue recycling boxes and started conversations and engaged collaborations that created a stronger sense of purpose, connection and belonging to the COR of what a business, a brand, is really about. We can tell real stories now of how a strong bottom line doesn’t need to be at the expense of a values driven business plan or a purpose that goes beyond just revenue projections.

Not unlike the start of a new decade 100 years ago the start of this next decade shows the real value of a business isn’t sitting on a warehouse floor but sitting in the seats next to you and I. It’s the innovative thinkers, creative visionaries and those embracing ‘design thinking’ as the catalyst to support the growth and prosperity of businesses that are walking the optimistic path of the future.

Sustainability also means these innovative thinkers, visionaries, entrepreneurs, ‘ones who see things differently’ can create social enterprises and world changing solutions that can be built on a For-Profit For Purpose model versus the traditional Not-For Profit thinking. Imagine the social and economic growth these bright ideas will see in the coming years as they are financially viable, attracting (and retaining) the most talented people and therefore able to more efficiently grow and spread their ideas of change.

Personally 2009 was mixed with successes and challenges.

I welcomed a great new list of clients, all sharing similar values and doing good in the world. Completed some great projects with existing clients and had the opportunity to work on a number of Olympic related projects—a goal of mine since the day we were awarded the Games.

In May 2009, I was honoured to be Recipient of the Capilano University’s ‘40 over 40 Alumni of Inspiration’. In commemoration of Capilano University’s 40th anniversary, Dr. Greg Lee, President, honoured 40 alumni, of their past 60,000, whose passion and achievements reflect Capilano’s four decades (1968-2008) of providing exceptional services.

I was also privileged to be selected to participate in the first TEDxVancouver, I attended David Suzuki’s Legacy Lecture at the Chan Centre at UBC, and with the help of other Executives at the GDC/BC I organized Practivism 2 and helped elevate the conversation around ‘Design’s Role in Creating Social Change.’

My biggest challenge was managing my time; work, volunteer, personal, family and putting the priorities that truly matter in life, family and health at the top. New processes are in place for 2010 to change this for the better.

One final reason ‘The Walk’ seemed a fitting toast to the year is because anything Scottish reminds me of my Grandmother, Sadie Tiffney, who passed away in 2009. She is missed everyday as I work from the house she originally built in 1962. We also shared many a Scotch together.

So join me, and my late Gran, in a glass of Scotch and watch ‘The Walk.’ Creative in it’s simplicity, engaging in the way it uses storytelling to connect and amazing in that according to the production company this commercial was all shot in ONE take. From Robert Carlyle’s memorization and timing, the copy writing “there’s nothing like a commercial proposition to start a Scottish heart…,” to the classic landscape of Inverlochlarig, Perthshire, Scotland, it’s quite ‘The Walk’ and six enjoyable minutes well worth toasting your year that was and looking ahead on your path to a new decade of change.

Cheers!